Keeping the faith

Tony Parks only needs to look at the three goalkeepers in England's World Cup squad to know the future is in safe hands.

A former UEFA Cup winner with Tottenham, England goalkeeping coach Parks has spent three weeks in Korea with Alex Smithies, Jason Steele and Wesley Foderingham and to say he's been impressed with the trio is a huge understatement.

Indeed, if you offered him any other keeper at the World Cup, expect Parks' reply to be short and firm.

"I'm lucky to have the three best goalkeepers in the tournament," said Parks, speaking 24 hours before England face Syria in the Round of 16. "I think all three of the keepers I have with me would walk into any team in this tournament.

"As a group, the U17s is probably as strong as there is in any of the England youth teams. We have been very lucky."

Despite his squad number being 13, Smithies currently occupies the number one spot after a string of fine performances during the tournament.

He was desperately unlucky not to keep a much deserved clean sheet against Korea DPR in England's first outing, but his display against Brazil in the final group game, after a torrid start, was outstanding.

Having been bamboozled by Tales' 40-yard free-kick, the Huddersfield stopper shrugged off that disappointment to have the last laugh - an 82nd minute penalty save as England emerged victorious.

"Alex showed real character," said Parks. "He let in a weird goal but you look for strength of character and Alex showed that in abundance. Outside of the penalty save, he made two or three excellent saves.

"He has been fantastic. He is laying down a marker to the other keepers in the tournament. He's the best here on his performances."

But how life could have been different for both Smithies and Steele.

Middlesbrough keeper Steele was in fine form during the European Championships, helping England get to the final where they eventually lost to Spain. Arriving in Korea, he would justifiably have felt he was due to start in goal until he fell ill.

In football, as one door closes another one opens, Smithies the beneficiary this time. Parks is sympathetic and rates Steele extremely highly.

"Jason has some unbelievable potential to go on and become a really gifted goalkeeper," said Parks. "Keepers these days need to be footballers too, and he has a great range of passing. His distribution is excellent. In the modern game he typifies what you need as a keeper."

With Ben Amos - another highly regarded keeper in this age group - injured, Parks and the rest of the coaching staff handed Fulham's Foderingham the final World Cup berth.

A year younger than the rest of the squad, he shone last year with England at U16 level.

"Wes has had quite a hard upbringing, things have not always been great for him," explained Parks. "He is a strong character. He has a lot of natural ability and is technically good too. I would not have any hesitations playing Wes in the World Cup if something happened to the other two.

"For someone so young to come into a group that has been on the road for two seasons, he has gelled really well. If he doesn't play it will still be great experience for him being at the World Cup."

Watching Parks putting the goalkeepers through their paces at training, it's clear what a tight bond there is between all of them.

The three youngsters are constantly encouraging and congratulating each other, never more evident than after the Brazil game where Steele and Foderingham raced onto the pitch to celebrate with Smithies.

"As a group of goalkeepers, their friendship and camaraderie is excellent," said Parks. "They are always patting each other on the back and encouraging each other, but still with that level of competition. They have set a high standard on the training pitch"

A golden era of goalkeepers is dawning.